Beverage identification marker

ABSTRACT

An identification apparatus capable of being selectively coupled with a beverage container having a substantially cylindrical shape and/or a substantially truncated conical shape.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of priority of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/833,321, filed Jul. 26, 2006, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to apparatus and systems for identification and more specifically to apparatus and systems for uniquely identifying beverages and beverage containers.

2. Background

At parties, gatherings and events numerous cups, bottles and cans are not completely consumed by individuals due to the fact that the individuals lose track of which beverage belongs to them. They begin drinking from the container, put it down for some reason and then either forget where they placed the container or place it among other containers similar in appearance and cannot later determine which container belonged to them.

Currently there exist wine charms that engage the stern of a wine glass and wine tags which attach to the stem of wine glass. Additionally, some people attempt to write on the containers with markers. However, wine charms and wine tags cannot be attached to bottles, cans or cups. Moreover, markers often do not adequately mark the containers due to condensation formation on the exterior of the containers.

What is needed is an apparatus and system for uniquely identifying containers that can be selectively coupled with a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a beverage identification marker.

FIGS. 2-11 depict alternate embodiments of the beverage identification marker depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 100 for identifying a beverage and/or beverage container. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 comprises a uniquely identifiable elastomeric band 102 capable of being selectively coupled with the exterior of a beverage container 104. In some embodiments the band 102 can be comprised of rubber. However, in alternate embodiments, the band 102 can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of engaging, either frictionally or via any other mechanism, the exterior of a container 104.

In some embodiments the band 102 can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.

FIG. 2 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the apparatus can be comprised of a label 202 capable of being selective coupled with a container 104. In some embodiments the label 202 can be coupled with the container 104 via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus can contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.

In some embodiments the label 202 can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the apparatus can be comprised of a label 202 capable of being selective coupled with a container 104. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the label 202 can further comprise an etchable area 302 that can be selectively marked without the use of a writing implement. That is, the etchable area 302 can be comprised of a material that can be marked using any implement.

In some embodiments the label 202 can be coupled with the container 104 via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus cain contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 100 for identifying a beverage and/or beverage container. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 comprises a uniquely identifiable elastomeric band 102 capable of being selectively coupled with the exterior of a beverage container 402. In some embodiments the band 102 ran be comprised of rubber. However, in alternate embodiments, the band 102 can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of engaging, either frictionally or via any other mechanism, the exterior of a container 402.

In some embodiments the band 102 can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 100 for identifying a beverage and/or beverage container. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 comprises a uniquely identifiable elastomeric band 102 capable of being selectively coupled with the exterior of a beverage container 402. In some embodiments the band 102 can be comprised of rubber. However, in alternate embodiments, the band 102 can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of engaging, either frictionally or via any other mechanism, the exterior of a container 402.

In some embodiments the band 102 can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.

In FIG. 5 the band 102 can further comprise a writing area 502 comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.

FIG. 6 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 the apparatus can be comprised of a label 202 capable of being selective coupled with a container 402. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the label 202 can further comprise an etchable area 602 that can be selectively marked without the use of a writing implement. That is, the etchable area 602 can be comprised of a material that can be marked using any implement.

In some embodiments the label 202 can be coupled with the container 402 via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus can contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the apparatus can be comprised of a label 202 capable of being selective coupled with a container 402. In some embodiments the label 202 can be coupled with the container 402 via an adhesive. In some embodiments the adhesive can be selected such that it is not substantially impacted by moisture. In alternate embodiments, the adhesive can be selected such that it can be applied to a moist or damp surface. In some embodiments the apparatus can contain any uniquely identifiable marking, such that a user can distinguish beverage containers.

In some embodiments the label 202 can be comprised of a material capable of accepting markings from any known and/or convenient marking implements, such as pens, pencils, markers or any other writing implement.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system described in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the apparatus can be comprised of one or more uniquely identifiable flexible members 802 capable of selectively coupling with the exterior of a container 402. In some embodiments the combination of flexible member 802 can be uniquely identifiable and/or the individual flexible members 802 can be uniquely identifiable.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict alternate embodiments of the apparatus and system depicted in FIG. 1. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 a tag 902 can be coupled with the attachment member 102 via a chord 904.

FIG. 11 depicts an alternate embodiment of the apparatus and system depicted in FIG. 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, the tag 902 can be coupled with an anchor 1102 that is selectively coupleable with the container. In some embodiments the anchor 1102 can be a clip mechanism. However, in alternate embodiments the anchor 1102 can be any known and or convenient attachment mechanism.

Although the detailed description has been presented with multiple embodiments, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that multiple alternate variations may be possible. Therefore, the scope and spirit of this disclosure shall only be limited by the scope of the claims presented herein. 

1. A beverage identification apparatus comprising: an identification label capable of being selectively coupled the exterior of one of a substantially cylindrical beverage container and a truncated substantially conical beverage container. 